The calendar system of ancient Egypt is unique to both the cosmology of the Egyptians and their religion. Unlike the modern Julian calendar system, with it's 365 days to a year, the Egyptians followed a calendar system of 360 days, with three seasons, each made up of 4 months, with thirty days in each month. The seasons of the Egyptians corresponded with the cycles of the Nile, and were known as Inundation (pronounced akhet which lasted from June 21st to October 21st), Emergence (pronounced proyet which lasted from October 21st to February 21st), and Summer (pronounced shomu which lasted from February 21st to June 21st).

The beginning of the year, also called "the opening of the year", was marked by the emergence of the star Sirius, in the constellation of Canis Major. The constellation emerged roughly on June 21st., and was called "the going up of the goddess Sothis". The star was visible just before sunrise, and is still one of the brightest stars in the sky, located to the lower left of Orion and taking the form of the dogs nose in the constellation Canis Major.

Though the Egyptians did have a 360 day calendar, in a literal sense they did have a 365 day calendar system. The beginning of the year was marked by the addition of five additional days, known as "the yearly five days". These additional five days, were times of great feasting and celebration for the Egyptians, and it was not uncommon for the Egyptians to rituals, and other celebratory dealings on these days. The Egyptian calendar also took on other important functions within Egyptian life specifically in dealing with the astrology of the people.

Offerings: Honey, raw grains, prepared meats (Goose was a favorite, as was beef. However, avoid pork. It was considered unclean because of its connection to Sutekh. Also, avoid fish if you honor Osiris.) other offerings were fruit, flowers, oils (scented and olive) bees wax, bread (all kinds, plain or fruit filled, often in special shapes: pyramids or sacred objects) and incense, along with scented candles.

Beer was an important offering. Unlike modern beer, it was, to the Egyptians, a food group. Their beer was thicker in character, and cloudy, since filtering was used only to remove larger grains. The yeast to ferment it was the same yeast used in bread. The wild yeasts in sourdough bread are close relatives.

Day of Sekhmet's repulsion of Set; Also Wasirian (Osirian) Mysteries: Feast of Lights of Aset (Isis)

26

August 13

Day of battle between Heru (Horus) and Set; Aset gains the Horns of Het-Hert (Hathor)

27

August 14

Day of Peace between Heru and Set

30

August 17

Rituals in the Temples of RaHeru (Horus) and Wasir (Osiris)

There is evidence that indicates that this Festival is the true "Festival of Intoxication." The possible mistaken belief that it honors Thoth not Hathor/Sekhmet stems from the fact that the feast falls in the month of Thoth. Strong evidence points to the myth recounting the destruction of mankind as the basis for this festival. According to this story, in order to end Hathor’s bloody rampage, Re tricked her into drinking beer laced with mandrake and red ocher. He flooded Egypt with this drugged beer. Hathor/Sekhmet, thinking it was blood, consumed so much of it that she became drunk and passed out, and she lost interest in destroying humanity. The yearly Innundation by the Nile, with its rich, red silt, is the earthly re-enactment of this flood of beer. This feast of intoxication is the ancient Egyptian's "October fest."

Month: Paopi

Netjer of the Month:Ptah

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

August 18

Month of Paopi Begins

2

August 19

Procession of Heru to Neith

3

August 20

Tehuti(Thoth) orders the healing of the eye of Heru (Horus)

5

August 22

Feast of Montu

6

August 23

Great Feast of the Netjeru (Gods & Goddesses)

9

August 26

Day of Jubilation in the heart of Ra

10

August 27

Procession of Bast; Birthday of Nut

12

August 29

Bithtday of Het-Hert (Hathor)

13

August 30

Day of Satisfying the Hearts of the Ennead

14

August 31

Day Heru receives the White Crown

16

September 2

Feast of Wasir (Osiris)

18

September 4

Ceremony of Transformation through Anpu (Anubis)

19

September 5

Ceremony of Raising the Djed Pillar

21

September 7

Neith Goes forth to Atum

27

September 13

Festival of lighting the fires of Nieth

30

September 16

Land in Festival for Ra, Wasir, and Heru

Month: Hethara

Netjer of the Month:Het-Hert (Hathor)

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

September 17

Motnh of Hethara begins; Feast of Het-hert (Hathor)

5

September 21

Autum Equinox; Honors to Het-hert

6

September 22

Ritual of the Netjers of the Two Lands

7

September 23

Honors offered to Atum

8

September 24

The going forth of Aset (Isis)

12

September 28

Wasir (Osiris) goes forth to Abydos; Purification of the hearts of the Netjers; Feast of Hapi: Creatiing of the Nile

15

October 1

Contemplation of the Fertility of Min

16

October 2

Day of the appearance of the eight Great Netjers (Primordials)

17

October 3

Landing of the Great Netjers in Abydos; Lamentations of Aset (Isis)and Nebet-Het (Nephthys) for Wasir (Osiris).

18

October 4

Festival of Het-Hert (Hathor).

20

October 6

Bast appears to Ra.

21

October 7

Feast Day of Ma'at .

23

October 9

Ra judges the dispute of Set and Heru (Horus).

24

October 10

Aset (Isis) goes forth

26

October 12

The Black Land is given to Heru (Horus); The Red Land is given to Set

28

October 14

Festival of establishing Heru as King;The appearance before Ptah

29

October 15

Feast of the Three Noble Ladies

Month: Koiak

Netjer of the Month: Sekhmet

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

October 17

Month of Koiak Begins; The Feast of Sekhmet

2

October 18

The Netjeru in festivity

4

October 20

Festivals for Sebek

5

October 21

Het-Hert (Hathor) goes forth to Her people

7

October 23

Festival for Serquet (Selket); Ceremony of Thehuti (Thoth)

11

October 27

Feast of Wasir (Osiris) in Abydos

12

October 28

Day of Transformation into the Bennu Bird (Phoenix)

13

October 29

Going forth of Het-Hert (Hathor) and the Ennead

14

October 30

Celebration of the Netjert of Weaving and Fate; Coming forth of the Bennu transformed.

15

October 31

Feast of Sekhmet Bast Ra

17

November 2

Festival of Het-Hert (Hathor). The people and the Netjeru judge the speeches of the crew of the Solar Barge in Heliopolis

21

November 6

Raising the Djed Pillar

22

November 7

Ploughing the Earth

27

November 12

Aset (Isis) seeks the body of Wasir (Osiris)

28

Nov. 13

Aset (Isis) grieves the loss of Wasir (Osiris)

29

November 14

Aset (Isis) rejoices as She finds Wasir (Osiris)

30

November 15

Ennead feast in the House of Ra, Heru (Horus) and Wasir (Osiris); Invocation and offering to the Spirits (khu)

Month: Tybi

Netjer of the Month:Min Peret (Spring)

Netjer of the Season:Khepri

Season: Sowing

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

November 16

Month of Tybi begins; Heb Sed Festival; Festival of Bast

5

November 20

Day of Sekhmet and the Purifying Flame

9

November 24

Day of Offerings to Sekhmet

13

November 28

Feast of Het-Hert (Hathor) and Sekhmet; Day of prolonging life and the goodness of Ma'at

18

December 3

Going forth of the Netjeru of Abydos

20

December 5

Bast goes forth from Bubastis

21

Dec. 6

Bast guards the Two Lands; Day of offerings to the Shemsu (followers) of Ra

23

December 8

Feast of Neith

28

December 13

The Day of Tehuti's taking the oath

29

December 14

The appearance of the Hu and Sia; Tehuti (Thoth) sends Bast and Sekhmet to guide Egypt

30

December 15

Day of crossing before Nun in the Temple of Hapi

Month: Mechir

Netjer of the Month:Rekhur

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

December 16

Month of Mechir begins; Festival of the Little Heat; Day of Ptah lifting up Ra with His hands

2

December 17

Day the Netjers of Heaven receive Ra

3

December 18

Set goes forth

6

December 21

Winter Solstice; Feast of Aset (Isis)

8

December 23

Festival of the Great Heat; Feast Day of Het-Hert (Hathor)

10

December 25

Birth of Heru (Horus) the child of Aset (Isis) ; Going forth of Wadjet singing in Heliopolis;Day of Elevating the Great Netjert (Goddess) in all Her names & manifestations

11

December 26

Feast of Neith; Birth of Sebek (Sobek)

13

December 28

Day of Sekhmet going forth to Letopolis

16

December 31

Feast of Sekhmet

17

January 1

Day of keeping the things of Wasir (Osiris) in the hands of Anpu (Anubis)

20

January 4

Day of Nut and Raet proceeding southward

22

January 6

Feast of Ptah and Heru (Horus) 23 January 7 Festival of Aset (Isis)

24

January 8

Festival of Aset (Isis); Birth of Aion

26

January 10

Going forth of Min to Coptus; Aset sees Wasir's face

27

January 11

Feast of Sokar

Month: Pamenot

Netjer of the Month:Amun-Ra

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

January 15

Month of Pamenot begins; Feast of entering Heaven and the Two Lands

5

January 19

The brilliant festival of lights as Neith goes forth from Sais

6

January 20

Going forth of Yinepu (Anubis); Festival of jubilation for Wasir (Osiris) in Busiris

8

January 22

Day of making way for Khnum

9

January 23

Day of Het-Hert (Hathor)

10

January 24

Day of coming of Tehuti (Thoth)

13

January 27

Tehuti and and the khu go forth

16

January 30

Day of opening the doors and courts at Karnak

18

Feb. 1

Feast of Nut

19

February 2

Birthday of Nut

22

February 5

Birthday of Apep (Apophis)

23

February 6

Feast of Heru

26

February 9

Day of unseen in the Underworld

28

February 11

Feast of Wasir (Osiris) in Abydos

30

February13

Feast of Wasir (Osiris) in Busiris; The Doorways of the Horizon are opened

Month: Parmutit

Netjer of the Month:Renenutet

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

February 14

Month of Parmuti Begins

2

February 15

Geb proceeds to Busiris to see Anpu (Anubis)

7

February 20

Min goes forth in festivity

8

February 21

Day of counting the parts of the Eye of Heru

13

February 26

Day of Nut

16

March 1

Going forth of Khepri

17

March 2

Going forth of Set, Son of Nut

19

March 4

Feast of Ra in His Barge at Heliopolis

27

March 12

End of the World by Sekhmet

29

March 14

Adoration of Uneffer

30

March 15

Offerings to Ra, Wasir, Heru, Ptah, Sokar and Atum

Month: Pachons

Netjer of the Month:Khonsu Shemu (Summer)

Season:Harvest

Netjer of the Season: Khonsu-Ra

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

March 16

Month of Pachons begins; Feast of Heru and His Companions

5

March 20

Feast of the good soul for sexual fertility

6

March 21

Spring Equinox; Harvest Festival; Festival of restructuring the Heavens; Coming forth of the Great Ones from the House of Ra

8

March 23

Festival of Aset (Isis)

10

March 25

Day the Shining Ones of Heaven move upstream

14

March 29

Day of the cutting out of the tongue of Sobek

17

April 1

Day of Het-Hert (Hathor)

18

April 2

Day of Joy of the Ennead and crew of Ra

19

April 3

Day of the counting of Tehuti (Thoth) who heard Ma'at

20

Apr. 4

Ma'at judges the souls before the Netjeru

30

April 14

Celebrations in the House of Ra, Wasir (Osiris) , and Heru (Horus)

Month:Payni

Netjer of the Month:Heru (Horus)

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

April 15

Month of Payni Begins; Festival of Heru; Festival of Bast

2

April 16

Holiday of Ra and his Shemsu (followers)

7

April 21

Feast of Wadjet (Udjet or Buto)

13

April 27

The Ennead sails throughout the land

18

May 2

Wasir (Osiris) goes forth from His mountain

21

May 5

Day of the living children of Nut

25

May 9

The Akhet eye pleases Ra

26

May 10

Going forth of Neith along the river

28

May 12

Day of purification of all things.

30

May14

Tehuti (Thoth) appears with Shu to bring back Tefnut

Month:Epipi

Netjer of the Month:Wadjet

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

May 15

Month of Epipi begins; Festivals of Het-Hert and Bast; Great feast of the Southern heavens

2

May 16

The Netjerts (Goddesses) feast in their temples

5

May 19

Het-Hert (Hathor) returns to Punt: the Netjers are saddened

7

May 21

Sailing of the Netjers after Het-Hert (Hathor)

12

May 26

Holiday of the receiving of Ra

15

May 29

Heru hears prayer in the presence of the Netjers

16

May 30

Ma'at is taken to Ra in Heliopolis

18

June 1

Ma'at and Ra go forth in secret

29

June 12

Festival of Mut: feeding of the Netjers

30

June 13

Ceremony of Heru the Beloved

Feast of the "Beautiful Reunion." Hathor’s barque was called the "Mistress of Love." During this festival, it was believed that Hathor left her temple in Dendera and sailed south to visit Horus in the city of Edfu. During her trip she stopped to visit Mut’s temple, the second day she visits Anukis, (A form of Nephthys, "Lady Of The House.") On the third day, she is joined by the Local God of Nehan (a form of Horus) before ending her travels in Edfu at the great Temple of Horus there. Horus would set out in his barque and meet Anukis outside Edfu. At this time, the two statues were enshrined together for fourteen days, and then the statues were taken to the temple roof to greet the sun god Ra.

Month:Mesore

Netjer of the Month:Heru-Khuiti

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

June 14

Month of Mesore begins

2

June 15

Ma'at unites as one with all the Netjeru of the heavens

3

June 16

Feast of Raet; Feast of Het-Hert as Sirius

4

June 17

Day of the procession of Sopdu, the Warrior

5

June 18

Day of appearance of Min

7

June 20

Anpu travels to every necropolis

8

June 21

Summer Solstice; Wadjet ceremony

10

June 23

Anpu (Anubis) Ceremony

13

June 26

Holiday for the Shemsu of Heru (Shemsu-Hor)

15

June 28

Ra goes forth to propitiate the Nun

19

July 2

the Wadjet eye has returned complete

22

July 5

Feast of Anpu (Anubis) with the Children of Nut and Geb

28

July 11

Feast of Min 29 July 12 Holiday in the Temple of Sokar; Festival of the Estate of Ptah

30

July 13

Birthday of Ra

THE EPAGOMENAL DAYS

Egyptian Calendar

Gregorian Calendar

Festival/Celebration

1

July 14

Birthday of Wasir (Osiris)

2

July 15

Birthday of Heru-Dunawhy

3

July 16

Birthday of Set

4

July 17

Birthday of Aset (Isis)

5

July 18

Birthday of Nebet-Het (Nephthys)

Here are some interesting notes
on the Festivals of Opet and The New Year:

Opet or Ipet means "Harem," and the true name of the festival is "The Beautiful Feast." On this day the barque of Ammon-Re would be removed from its temple shrine, and, along with the image of Ammon-Ra, would journey up the Nile to the temple of his wife Ammonet. This was a serious party festival, lasting for twenty days, with a special ritual held at every stop of Ammon-Ra’s barque.

After nine months had passed Ammonet-Mut would ceremonially be taken into the Temple birthing chamber to give birth to Ammon-Ra’s son, Khonsu. Even today, remnants of this festival are still observed.

Today Opet has been renamed; it is now "The Festival of Saints," and is celebrated by Moslems. During the festival, a small boat is carried out of the Mosque of Abu El Haggag and paraded through the streets Luxor.

"The Feast of Sothis" (the heliacle rising of the star Sirius) was celebrated in every Temple in Egypt with a special ritual. Most temples housed more than one God or Goddess, and the normally secluded images of the temple’s Gods would be removed from their shrines, and taken to the roof of the temple so that the first light of the first day of the New Year would fall upon them.

The star Sothis (Sirius) is fundamental to the Egyptian religion. This importance is demonstrated in several ways. Both the star and the constellation Orion rise at the same time. The star is known as "The soul of Isis," and the constellation of Orion is the body of her husband Osiris, in heaven. The reappearance of both objects heralds the resurrection of the dead Osiris. Seventy days earlier, both the star and the constellation had disappeared from the sky, hidden by the sun’s light. All ancient Egyptians wanted to be "Osirified," and the seventy days of the mummification process reflected this time of the constellation's disappearance. The calendar and the mythology were intimately tied to the heavens.